While it's possible to turn a bowl with just a faceplate on your lathe and maybe a shop-made jam chuck, it's a lot easier if you equip your lathe with a four-jaw chuck. As the name suggests, this type of chuck has four jaws, and these jaws can be adjusted in and out to hold a workpiece, either by contracting around a turned tenon or expanding into a recess you turn in the workpiece. Most chucks also include a large screw insert for mounting blanks for shaping and turning the tenon or recess.
Four-jaw chucks are an investment, so you want to choose wisely. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind when deciding on the best chuck for you.

Setting up shop isn't just about buying the right tools. You need work surfaces where you can get the most out of those tools, and you need space to store them so that they're protected and out of the way but still close at hand.

One way to maximize space in a smaller shop is to have everything on wheels. These configurations of Shop Stands provide the right space, stability and mobility for your sharpening wheel and benchtop drill press. And if you want more storage, check out our Dust-Free Shop Trays. They’re sized and drilled to easily install on 18" and 24" stands.

Sometimes the simplest add-ons make all the difference. They can take an appliance or car – or Shop Stand – from dependably functional to delightfully indispensable. From shop trays that keep tools close at hand to casters that provide mobility to kits for adding drawers, Rockler has accessories to help you get the most from your Shop Stand.